PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if sleep apnea is related to service-connected PTSD, and whether the Veteran's ability to work due to his disabilities should be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his death in August [redacted], 2017. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including suspiciousness, hypervigilance, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain private psychiatric records.

The Veteran's DM is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 20, 2014. The Board finds no evidence of the need for insulin or regulation of activities due to DM. Service connection has been granted for hiatal hernia and residuals of a fractured right hip (including URHR) associated with stroke secondary to service-connected DM. These issues are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective May 14, 2012. The rating for TBI remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since September 26, 2006. A 40% rating for his back disability is granted from January 26, 2006. Service connection for right and left leg radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected back disability is granted. Service connection for bladder disability and chronic urinary disability secondary to the service-connected back disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to work due to symptoms like chronic insomnia, hypervigilance, and impaired concentration. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions and issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, a left knee condition, hearing loss, cataracts, diabetes (secondary to service-connected disability), an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder, and entitlement to individual unemployability prior to February 8, 2012. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The appeal is granted to this extent only, and the claims of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including intermittent explosive disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from June 24, 2010 to June 4, 2018. From June 4, 2018, the Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim and the earliest date of claim is September 16, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claims for SMC based on housebound criteria or aid and attendance, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with his earlier effective date claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD. Therefore, these issues are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressor relates to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and whether his diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as his formal claim was not received within one year of the August 2009 informal claim.

The Veteran's appeal for purchasing a bed and chair under the Chapter 31 benefits was denied because the items were not deemed necessary to maintain independence in daily living.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received after a previous decision, and also requires an opinion on whether PTSD is related to in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether he has PTSD and if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an infectious disease (to include malaria and dengue fever) and posttraumatic stress disorder due to insufficient medical evidence, unverified in-service stressors, and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide additional information or undergo examinations.